Bursicon Functions within theDrosophilaCNS to Modulate Wing Expansion Behavior, Hormone Secretion, and Cell Death

Authors:
  • FDFengqiu Diao
    Fengqiu Diao
  • HLHaojiang Luan
    Haojiang Luan
  • HWHoward Wang
    Howard Wang
  • EDElizabeth M. Dewey
    Elizabeth M. Dewey
  • HHHans-Willi Honegger
    Hans-Willi Honegger
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Abstract
Hormones are often responsible for synchronizing somatic physiological changes with changes in behavior. Ecdysis (i.e., the shedding of the exoskeleton) in insects has served as a useful model for elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this synchronization, and has provided numerous insights into the hormonal coordination of body and behavior. An example in which the mechanisms have remained enigmatic is the neurohormone bursicon, which, after the final molt, coordinates the plasticization and tanning of the initially folded wings with behaviors that drive wing expansion. The somatic effects of the hormone are governed by bursicon that is released into the blood from neurons in the abdominal ganglion (the BAG), which die after wing expansion. How bursicon induces the behavioral programs required for wing expansion, however, has remained unknown. Here we show by targeted suppression of excitability that a pair of bursicon-immunoreactive neurons distinct from the BAGand located within the subesophageal ganglion inDrosophila(the BSEG) is involved in controlling wing expansion behaviors. Unlike the BAG, the BSEGarborize widely in the nervous system, including within the abdominal neuromeres, suggesting that, in addition to governing behavior, they also may modulate the BAG.Indeed, we show that animals lacking bursicon receptor function have deficits both in the humoral release of bursicon and in posteclosion apoptosis of the BAG. Our results reveal novel neuromodulatory functions for bursicon and support the hypothesis that the BSEGare essential for orchestrating both the behavioral and somatic processes underlying wing expansion.

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